Zorc: Gunner have to pay up
I want to hit the big time with Derby Kelechi keen to get howay
DERBY boss Gary Rowett has revealed why he rejected Premier League Stoke, saying: “There are no limits to what we might achieve at Pride Park.”
One of the country’s most in- demand young coaches topped the Potters’ wanted list when they sacked Mark Hughes this month.
But instead of jumping into the big time at the bet365 Stadium, the 43-year-old chose to buck the trend – and stay put.
Shot
The Rams lie second in the Championship table and are an even-money shot to return to the Premier League for the first time in a decade.
Rowett said: “In essence, when you look at this football club, if we get it right there will be no holding us back.
“People talk about certain clubs in football as ‘ Premier League-in-waiting’. This is one of them. Absolutely no question about that.
“You’ve got a chance here. If – and I know it is a big ‘if’ – we can get promoted, we already have first-class facilities.
“It will be well-backed by the owner, Mel Morris.
“I’m convinced if we did reach the Premier League that the chairman would spend to keep us there. He is a supporter and would want to provide that financial support.
“Given that, the resources in players we already have and the training ground, then it’s really up to me and my staff to get the club promoted.
“That’s the plan. I played in a Derby County team under Jim Smith that was in fourth place for a long part of the season.
“We had a really good blend under Jim of good, young British players – the likes of Dean Sturridge, Lee Carsley, Christian Dailly. Then there were some excellent foreigners such as Igor Stimac, Stefano Eranio and Aljosa Asanovic.
“We have got a lot of work to do. But, in my opinion, there are no limits to what this club can KELECHI IHEANACHO wants to leave LEICESTER this month – with NEWCASTLE still waiting in the wings.
The Nigerian has started just two Premier League games since his £25million move from Manchester City in the summer.
Iheanacho is not Foxes’ first choice to leave and they will listen to offers for Ahmed Musa, Islam Slimani and Leonardo Ulloa.
And a deal is conditional on Toon boss Rafa Benitez’s pursuit of Feyenoord’s Nicolai Jorgensen. achieve.” Another reason for rejecting Stoke’s advances was more personal – Rowett wants success for himself and his staff.
He added: “There was one other factor behind my decision – and that can be traced back to when I was at Burton Albion. I had created a good group there and I left to go to Birmingham.
“That was the right move for me to the right club, but the timing was a little bit out. I left that bunch of players at the Pirelli Stadium in a great position.
“I thought they would get promotion – and they did with Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
“It was similar at Birmingham.
“We had a good group and I felt I would have improved it in the January transfer window when we would finally have some money to spend, and we may have had a shot at the play-offs.
“That opportunity was taken away before I had the chance to see it play out.
“With this one, this was one I ARSENAL have been warned Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is going nowhere unless they pay Borussia Dortmund’s £60million valuation of the Gabon striker.
The Gunners had an opening offer of £45m rejected by the Bundesliga club and a subsequent £50m bid got the same response.
And the message from Dortmund general manager Michael Zorc last night was that Arsene Wenger will have to look elsewhere if he fails to hand over the full asking price. Zorc said: “We are prepared to implement the transfer only if our parameters are fulfilled in their entirety.
“Arsenal has already made several attempts, which we have rejected. Either our demands are fulfilled or there may be another transfer.
“If they are not met then Aubameyang is playing in wanted to stay. I want to complete it. I want to see it through – wherever that journey takes us.
“I was flattered that the club wanted me to stay. I had been talking about a new deal with Mel for three or four weeks before the i nterest from elsewhere became an issue.
“I’ve experienced other types of owners – but how many clubs are backed heavily by a local person? Not many these days. Dean Hoyle at Huddersfield is one, Mel is another.
With Wi h the players we have it’s up to me and my staff to get the club promoted. That’s the plan.
Progress
“He will come and have a drink and a chat with me.
“If there’s anything I want, he will try to help or give me a reason why he can’t.
“We want success for Derby County.
“We are making progress – perhaps more quickly than we thought – but the hard work has to continue.
“If it does, this could sustain a club in the top 10 in the country.
“Honestly, if we can build some momentum, there is nothing to hold us back.” Dortmund until the summer. This also been discussed and accepted by the Aubameyang family.”
Aubameyang (right), 28, wants to move to the Emirates and has accepted a four-year deal worth £320,000 a week.
But he was named in the Dortmund team that faced Freiburg yesterday.